The Queen will open next session of Parliament in her first socially-distanced ceremony

The Queen will open the next session of Parliament in her first socially-distanced ceremony.

Her Majesty will take part in the stripped down occasion on May 11 to set out the government’s legislative agenda.



The Queen will open Parliament in a social distanced ceremony

Ceremonial elements will be reduced and the number of attendees will be slashed to make sure the event is covid-secure.

Ministers are working with Buckingham Palace and Public Health England for the Queen’s Speech which will have a reduced Royal Procession and no diplomatic guests.

Legislative bills including the Armed Forces Bill and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will be carried over from this parliamentary year.

Laws are also planned for building safety regulations and repealing the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.

A No10 spokesperson said: “While we are still in the middle of a pandemic this Queen’s Speech will look quite different, but it is important we take forward our plans and deliver policies to improve the lives of people across the country through a new Parliamentary session.

“We are working closely with Public Health England to ensure arrangements are covid-secure.”



A restricted number of MPs are able to attend Parliament under social distancing rules